IPL 2019 | Studs and Duds from IPL Week 2 ft. David Warner, Andre Russell, Jaydev Unadkat

Studs

David Warner: That was an incredible piece of clean-hitting and doesn’t require context to tell you how deeply it hit Royal Challengers Bangalore at the end. Warner started slowly in the powerplay, while Jonny Bairstow was made to attack from the very beginning, and in retrospect, it is considered to have been a viable tactic to defy the three-time finalists. Warner didn’t have the monkey on his back after two swash-buckling fifties in the first two games and knowing fully that the team didn’t have the insurance of Kane Williamson, he had to progress in the best way possible. Everything came together and Warner played an innings that didn’t just thwart the Virat Kohli-led team, it also resulted in the bowlers deviating from their original length to serve runs on the platter. 

Jonny Bairstow: A year ago Jonny Bairstow was analysing different techniques of big-hitting in the Indian Premier League in the Sky Sports office in London. Now, he is setting standards in India and winning a fanbase of his own. This is what IPL does to players or rather players do to IPL. It is a symbiotic relationship after all. Bairstow came out all guns blazing against Royal Challengers Bangalore on a batting-friendly track, but his attack against Delhi Capitals spinners was the major revelation this time. He, alongside David Warner, not only destroying the notion that Sunrisers Hyderabad are heavily dependent on their bowlers to guide them home, but it is also made sure that the batting can be the factor on which their chances for the title run stands. All for good, Sunrisers think tank would be some of the happiest people during their tiresome flights from one corner of the country to another.

Sam Curran: Screw everything. That hat-trick was a dreamer’s delight. With Delhi Capitals being at the most favourable position to pull off an easy win, Curran and Mohammed Shami at the other end had a tough job to handle. But the Englishman showed chutzpah and brilliance of another level, by taking all four wickets in the last eight balls, thereby conceding just four runs in those absolutely pathetic period of play by Delhi Capitals. Pretty much like Kagiso Rabada pulled off the stunning Super Over against Andre Russell, Curran unleashed yorkers in the perfect manner to leave the stumps in disarray, more than twice in the innings. A lot of discussions had already been made that the Kings had made a mistake by picking him at the auction, but the price tag has been vindicated now. Preity Zinta can sleep peacefully now.

Shreyas Gopal: Despite having three foreign players, I zeroed in on Shreyas Gopal to have in the studs of the week. But the reservation comes from the fact that Andre Russell was just too goodlast night with the brazen display of power-hitting that took the breath away. An honorary mention wouldn't work, but with due respect to the burly Jamaican, I will go with Gopal for the chutzpah he showed against RCB the other night. Earlier what used to be the varying and surprising aspect of a leg-spinner’s arsenal, now it has become the most prudent and regular delivery, even regular than the conventional delivery. Gopal feasted on googly on Tuesday night against Royal Challengers Bangalore and disturbed all their plans by sending the triumvirate of Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, and Shimron Hetmyer early in the innings. By not exposing the angle from the back of his hand, Gopal ensured that he remained a difficult proposition until the end of his spell and in the process, confirmed that RCB’s woes are far deeper what one could comprehend in a rational mindset. 

Duds

Jaydev Unadkat: Price tags in Indian Premier League has often been an abstract, very few have successfully managed to live up to. Jaydev Unadkat never demanded the money that he went for, but with each bad performance, the discussion about the price tag got doubly louder. Against Chennai Super Kings, Unadkat started up well and gave away 28 runs in his three-over spell. However, with MS Dhoni finding his feet in the crease, Unadkat lost his mojo suddenly and went for 28 runs in one over. Inherent aggression is cool as it shows that you want to make a comeback, but Unadkat’s aggression against Dhoni lacked any substance, which was exposed in such a way that he ended up conceding as many as 54 runs.

Ambati Rayudu: Law of averages catch up very soon in cricket unless you are Virat Kohli. For Ambati Rayudu, it had to at some point in time. A glorious summer of cricket last year accentuated his progression to the Indian team and even made Virat Kohli claim that they are backing the Hyderabadi for the No.4 spot for the World Cup team. However, his India stint has pointed fingers at his ability to soak pressure, and that made way for the IPL as well, making him one of the weakest links in the CSK line-up. He looks severely depleted as a batsman, and the swag value that characterises an opener was entirely absent. In the last week, he managed to score only 1 run from two matches and considering he is an active India international, nothing is more shambolic. 

Steve Smith: Right mindset can be a very dangerous abstract in cricket. Ask Steve Smith and David Warner and they will give you completely different answers for sure. With Warner having made up a complete mockery of opposition bowling attacks, Smith decided to go with his orthodox fashion but rendered successful. In the match against Chennai, he tried to orchestrate a win with his Test match batting display, but the run rate soared, which led to Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer taking unwarranted risks at the end. Of course, Smith is never a limited-overs natural, but on the sheer weight of the name, he demands a place in the side. It is high-time he brings his fourth gear to the table to uplift the Royals’ sagging fortunes.

Umesh Yadav: The paradox of Umesh Yadav is a deep-rooted one, and for RCB, it is a paradox that could only be contemplated in the team meetings and nothing could have been done about it. Especially the way, the Vidarbha pacer was hit around the park in Hyderabad, Virat Kohli had no other business than looking at the sky in desperation. It was the undoing of a cricketer, who last year gave them hopes by bowling some of the perfect death overs and ended up being their best bowler of the tournament as well. Yadav not only lacked penetration, but his out-outside-full-tosses were also met with sky-high sixes on a regular fashion. Rightfully, RCB dropped him from their home fixture against KKR, but if he wants to contribute to the team’s cause even for a bit, then he can’t mess things around whenever Kohli plans to have him in the side.